GENESEO, N.Y. – Christopher C. Dahl, president
of the State University of New York at Geneseo, announced today that Michael J.
Catillaz has been named vice president for college advancement and president of
the Geneseo Foundation. The appointment, effective July 16, concludes a
four-month national search.

At
Geneseo, Catillaz will direct the College Advancement Division and manage a
team of 23 professionals engaged in development, communications and alumni
relations. He brings more than 25 years of fund raising and development
experience in public and private higher education, including leadership
positions in capital campaigns at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and the National
Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at the Rochester Institute of
Technology (RIT).

"Michael
Catillaz brings a wealth of knowledge in the art and science of philanthropy
evidenced by his proven success in relationship building and fund raising," said
Dahl, now in his 12th year as Geneseo's president. "We are fortunate
to recruit a professional of his stature to advance SUNY Geneseo to an even
higher level of prominence as we evolve into the nation's premier public
liberal arts college. On behalf of the search committee and our foundation
board, we are delighted to welcome him to Geneseo and look forward to working
with him."

Catillaz
served for six years as vice president for institutional advancement at Hobart
and William Smith Colleges, where he planned, developed and managed all aspects
of the advancement program including communications; alumni and parent
relations; corporate, foundation and government relations; major gifts; annual,
planned and reunion giving; and advancement services. He also held primary
responsibility for campaign management, securing commitments of $100 million,
and served as staff officer for several trustee and campaign steering
committees.

"Geneseo
is a hallmark of excellence in the SUNY system and one of New York's greatest
assets," said Catillaz. "I am honored to receive this vote of confidence and
look forward to working with my new colleagues to advance the College to
greater heights of distinction. This is an exciting time to join Geneseo
because the best is yet to come."

According
to Robert Bonfiglio, SUNY Geneseo vice president for student and campus life
and chair of the search committee, the vice president position attracted
considerable interest nationwide, reflecting Geneseo's outstanding reputation
in higher education. "We reviewed a number of strong nominations and
applications, but Michael Catillaz emerged as the top candidate given his
proven track record in advancement and his affinity for liberal arts
education," he said. "We're pleased to have him on board."

Dahl
praised the commitment and service provided by Debra G. Hill '75, who has
served as interim vice president since last October. "All of us at Geneseo are
indebted to Debbie for providing capable and steady leadership over these last
eight months," he said. "Through her efforts, we developed momentum during a
transitional period instead of maintaining the status quo. Her devotion and
loyalty to Geneseo are unmatched and reflect the enduring hold this institution
has on its alumni." According to Dahl, Hill will resume her duties as assistant
vice president for advancement, the position she held before her interim
appointment.

Prior
to joining Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Catillaz served as director of
NTID's Division of College Advancement and executive director of the NTID
Foundation and previously, as director of development. Before that, he held
several development positions at RIT including director of the annual fund
programs and assistant to the vice president for development. Earlier in his career,
Catillaz served as director of financial aid for Genesee Community College.

"In
the past 30 years, we have built a solid and effective advancement division at
Geneseo," said John Linfoot, vice chairman of the Geneseo Foundation. "We are
pleased and excited that a person of Michael Catillaz's talent and vision is
available to assume that leadership today. The future for advancement at
Geneseo is very bright indeed."

A
native of Saranac Lake, N.Y., Catillaz earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy
and English and a master's degree in student personnel administration at the
State University of New York at Albany. He also holds an MBA from RIT.

He
and his wife, Maggie, an attorney and partner with Harter, Secrest & Emery
LLP, live in Victor, N.Y. They have three grown children.